The Priory Hospital North London in Southgate, has been rated Requires Improvement overall, after a Care Quality Commission inspection in April and May 2018. At a previous inspection in August 2016, its rating was Good overall.
It was rated Inadequate for being safe, Requires Improvement for being effective caring and well-led and Good for being responsive.
The services CQC inspectors looked at were the child and adolescent mental health wards; acute wards for adults of working age and substance misuse services.
At this inspection the CQC had a number of concerns about the care and treatment being provided on the child and adolescent wards. Sadly, a young person had died following a ligature incident earlier in the year and despite actions being taken by the provider the CQC considered further improvements were still needed to minimise the risk of further serious incidents.
There was a lack of leadership on the child and adolescent wards. At the time of the inspection neither ward had a permanent ward manager available.
Staffing levels for nurses on the child and adolescent wards were not safe: there were a number of shifts when the number of registered nurses fell below the established level to one registered nurse on a shift.
Some aspects of the ward environment were not safe. For example some curtain rails would not collapse when weight was applied to them.
On the child and adolescent wards, some young peoples' risk assessments did not include sufficient information about all areas of potential risk, such as their physical health needs or history of severe self-harm.
Some staff on the child and adolescent wards did not always understand what constituted restraint. Child and adolescent wards emergency alarms and call buttons were not always responded to in a timely manner.
Young people on the child and adolescent wards told us that some staff did not treat them with respect and dignity. They found some staff patronising and unsympathetic.
However, there were some areas of good practice, including:
On the adult ward, staffing levels had improved and the minimum staffing levels were consistently met or exceeded.
Patients, young people and carers had the opportunity to provide feedback to the service in various ways.
Staff were supported following serious incidents.
On the child and adolescent wards, the staff team provided a weekly programme consisting of education, therapy and activity-based groups.
All patients and young people received a welcome pack when they were admitted to the hospital. Families of young people also received a welcome pack.
Staff supported young people to maintain contact with their families and carers.
Dr Paul Lelliott, Deputy Chief Inspector (Mental Health), said:
“Since our last inspection in August 2016, we consider the quality of care at The Priory Hospital North London has declined. More work urgently needs to be done to improve the safety, especially on the wards for younger people.
“I want to see an improvement all round by this provider before we return to inspect again.”
Ends
For further information please contact Ray Cooling, Regional Engagement Manager (London), on 020 7448 9136 or call the press office on 020 7448 9401 during office hours.
Journalists wishing to speak to the press office outside of office hours can find out how to contact the team here.
Please note: the press office is unable to advise members of the public on health or social care matters. For general enquiries, please call 03000 61 61 61.
More work urgently needs to be done to improve the safety, especially on the wards for younger people
Dr Paul Lelliott, Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals (and lead for mental health)